Ronaldinho agent dismisses move

Rumour Mill:  Ronaldinho's agent has dismissed reports there is any agreement in place for the Barcelona playmaker regarding a move to Chelsea.

Spanish media claimed today that a deal between Chelsea and Ronaldinho had been struck, with the 27-year-old reportedly being offered a €10million annual salary at Stamford Bridge.

However, Roberto de Assis, who is Ronaldinho's brother as well as his agent, has denied that there is any such agreement and that the two-time former World Player of the Year is remaining calm as speculation about his future at the Nou Camp continues to dominate the headlines.

"I have not read the newspapers, but it is a big surprise for me, because I have not spoken with anybody," De Assis said in El Mundo Deportivo.

"I cannot receive offers. The only one who can receive them are Barcelona."

De Assis said the Ronaldinho, who has a contract with Barca until 2010, has a "fantastic relationship" with the Catalan giants.

"He is very well, very calm," added De Assis.

"Every Wednesday and every Sunday they write another story and everything changes very quickly in football. He is a professional who is used to these goings on in football."

City set to make Mascherano bid

Manchester City are reportedly set to make a £17million (€23.5m) move for Javier Mascherano.

The Liverpool midfielder's long-term future remains uncertain as the Reds continue to stall over making his deal permanent and according to today's papers, City are now in the picture.

Rafa Benitez is reportedly urging Liverpool's American owners to make funds available to keep the Argentina international but with no offer on the table, the door is now open for the Eastlands outfit to make a bold approach.

The Daily Star claims a meeting took place between one of Mascherano's advisors and a close associate of City owner Thaksin Shinawatra last week.

Mascherano is owned by a consortium headed by Kia Joorabchian and the deal which took him from West Ham to Liverpool is due to run out at the end of the season - at which point the Daily Star claims Liverpool would have to cough up £17m (€23.5m) to keep him at the club.

But City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has pinpointed the 23-year-old as one of his primary targets and the Eastlands outfit could even attempt to conclude a deal which would see him complete his move in the January transfer window.

According to The Independent Mascherano is also wanted in Italy, although he is thought to prefer a switch to Barcelona in Spain if he does leave the Premier League.

Parry denies Capello approach

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has written off speculation that Fabio Capello has been approached about becoming manager as "absolutely, completely and utterly untrue".

Reports this morning claimed the Italian, one of the favourites to be named the new England boss, had been contacted both before and after last week's Champions League win over Porto.

The move was said to have been prompted by current manager Rafael Benitez's row with club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over transfers.

But Parry has vehemently denied any approach for the 61-year-old former AC Milan and Real Madrid chief, adding in the Liverpool Echo: "Capello has not contacted us and we have not contacted him."